Too busy or lack of interest?

August 12, 2008 - Cindy Votruba

Several years ago, the Schwan Photo Contest and Exhibit started at the Marshall Area Fine Arts Center. It’s always nice to see the creativity and composition people put into their entries. And there was always a lot to see. A couple of years, the contest drew more than 80 entries.

This year, the number has dwindled down to a mere 25.

Why the lack of interest? Is it because we have way too much to do? Or was it the themes for this year: Go Green and Art in the Street. I toyed with the idea of entering, but I think I need a better camera, something with a little more bells and whistles.

Nevertheless, those who did enter did a superb job in interpreting the themes. For the “Go Green” category, the subjects ranged from kids gathered around a green water pump, to a colony of wind turbines to an artistic and upclose view of a bunch of asparagus. Art in the Street included a helicopter hovering over the Statue of Liberty to the memorial in Granite Falls. T aking “Best of Show” was fellow Independent employee Derek Jensen. When he’s at an event, he likes to take along his trusty Canon Rebel. I saw that at the Siouxland Ren Fair this year. He captures that right moment and the essence of a person (or in the winning photo’s case, a building). He had entered a photo he took of the old Marshall Hotel. The judge commented on the technical quality of Derek’s photo. Derek also won the People’s Choice Award for last year’s exhibit, as well as other past honors. He’s now started a portrait business this past month. To see more of his photos, check out the web site: www.dwjphotography.com.